Schumacher Not Leaving, Says Todt

Michael Schumacher has no intention of calling a day on his illustrious career after winning his seventh world title, Ferrari team boss Jean Todt said today.

The German continued his relentless domination of Formula One when second place behind McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen in Sunday's Belgium Grand Prix was enough to wrap his fifth consecutive World Drivers' Championship.

But Todt said the 35-year-old would not be retiring. "I think it's an enjoyable experience for him now which he has no wish to end," said Todt, who has set up around him the Ferrari 'Dream Team', including technical director Ross Brawn and chief designer Rory Byrne.

"He has nothing to prove but he drives for pleasure," Todt added. "He does the job, which is his passion, to drive for a team that he loves and he is loved by the team. In a way it might seem extraordinary but he's still young, he's very motivated, he's very fit and he feels good.

"He's in an environment which bring him joy, serenity, the feelings that he enjoys, so there's no reason for him to finish."

Schumacher has put the pretenders to his throne in the shade again this year in winning 12 of the 14 races so far.

The 82-time Grand Prix winner has a special relationship with boss Todt, who believes that has helped Ferrari to lift the six constructors' and five drivers' titles since 1999.

"We have such a unique relationship. There's nothing special, it's just that we aim for the same final result and we just feel so much happiness and reward if we can achieve it.

"Sometimes it's hard to believe what has happened over the last years," Todt added. "What Ferrari is doing, what Michael is doing for Ferrari, it has never happened in the whole history of motorsport so it's just fantastic."

Ferrari have dropped only 36 points all season and Todt hailed the team work that has kept them at the top of the sport. "We have scored 216 points out of a possible 252. That does make you think what it does mean, as an effort from the team to achieve that," he said.

"It's the best reward we could dream of."